The new spaces replace outdated facilities with two sustainable, curved blocks

RH Partnership has completed work on a new water sports facility for Eastleigh Borough Council. Occupying 60 acres on the outskirts of Eastleigh in Hampshire, Lakeside Country Park’s lakes, wet meadow and woodland attract approximately 10,000 visitors a year.

The commission was to replace the outdated existing facilities in a manner that would embrace its rural setting. Sustainability was a chief concern for the council, which was focused on minimising energy and water consumption once in use, generating renewable energy on-site and increasing flexibility for future hire by a wider range of local groups. The facility has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, and sustainable features include photovoltaic and solar-thermal panels on a green roof, rainwater harvesting to flush the toilets and low energy lighting.

The new accommodation is split into two low-rise buildings which hug the contours of the land. The first houses multi-purpose spaces suitable for functions and group activities, staff offices and office space for partner organisations. In addition, it offers improved and expanded changing rooms to facilitate a significant increase in timetabled activities, better accessibility and improved security that allows adult and child classes to run concurrently.

The adjacent building includes public toilets that serve the wider park, a vehicle store and workshop for use by council staff, and a range of storage rooms for user equipment.

Client’s view

The finished building is a stunning example of contextual architecture, embracing sustainable technologies and providing a functional space for a variety of audiences. It is wholly sympathetic to its local environment without compromise to beauty and design.